COACH Simon Goodwin says Melbourne’s “brand” was one of the key focuses for his squad over the summer.
Addressing more than 600 people at Melbourne’s season launch at Crown on Wednesday night, Goodwin said the club wanted to play “fearless team football” in 2017 and beyond.
“We want to play a brand that is identifiable by our supporters and the wider football community,” he said.
“Fearless football means being strong around the contest, aggressive with our defensive positioning and pressure, and then it’s moving the ball fearlessly on offense to create scoring opportunities.
“This is a brand that our players love to play and they understand the power they have when we execute it correctly.
“It’s a style that will be powered by players that compete and have a team first approach. It will produce an intensity that’s infectious and our supporters will grow to love.”
Goodwin addressed the “mysterious army style camp” held several days before Christmas last year, adding that it was an important part of Melbourne’s pre-season.
“We operate in a ruthless, uncompromising environment of AFL football,” he said.
“We need to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. We need to block out the noise and focus on what the team requires under pressure. We need to push physical and mental barriers to build resilience to take us to the success we crave.
“Unfortunately, there is no easy way. This was small piece in a bigger puzzle to build resilience in our player group.”
In terms of expectations this year, Goodwin said the club expected to be pushing for the top eight.
“We believe we are in a position to start forging towards the club’s first final in over 10 years, but in the same breath, we are also acutely aware about how much work is required to get there,” he said.
“We know that you only get what you deserve in this game – and after 22 weeks, if we’ve earnt the right – and I mean earnt the right to play finals – I am confident that our brand will stand up at that level.”
Goodwin also addressed the players in the audience.
“The work you’ve done over the summer has been incredible. You are now ready to attack the season. But it will take a fearless approach on gameday combined with our training, our team behaviors and our culture,” he said.
“I know we are only scratching the surface of what we can achieve together on this journey. Ultimately it will be up to us to define our year.
“Anything is possible.”
Meanwhile, Goodwin said one of the biggest differences he had found as senior coach was the amount of questions he was asked – for all sorts of people.
“[You get] questions from John at the local café, questions from parents at my kids’ sports game,” he said.
“I can’t even take my dog ‘CJ’ for a walk without someone asking me a question about how the Dees are going to go?
“They are asking: are you confident? Are you nervous? And so on and so on.”
In other key points, Goodwin said:
- Peter Jackson was the best chief executive in the business
- The club had built a coaching department that was there to educate, build relationships and to carry a positive mindset – as well as ensuring growth in every player on the list
- The playing group was driven to succeed, not just as individuals, but as a collective
- He was “extremely confident” in the foundations that have been laid by the club, but was under no illusions that it had “lots of work still to be done”
- He wanted to thank the “incredibly strong and passionate supporter base who I know are crying out for success”
